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Harry Potter, a Christian Perspective
I ordered the Harry Potter books to see for myself what the ruckus is all about. Even before reading them, however, my experience as a religion teacher of the age level that these books most appeal to gave me certain authority to make the following statements. Having now read one and pushing through (and enjoying) the others, I find that there is very little danger in reading these books. If anything, there would be danger in restricting a child from reading them.
Some of the charges against these books is that they are paganistic- they appeal to forces of nature. Some say that they are an invitation to practise witchcraft- there is indeed a magical element to the books and witchcraft is practised by the characters.
My students who have read these books inform me that they understand clearly that the Harry Potter books do not correlate to reality, even though the books are so fun that they wish they did. Therefore, my informal poll of Christian students who read these books demonstrate that they have no way integrated Harry Potter 'theology' into their world view.
Whether or not they have done so is perhaps not the issue. Should 7th graders be exposed to such material? Especially Christian children? First of all, as a teacher, any time a kid reads, I'm happy. Quality children's books are not so easy to come by and if these books are able to awaken the imagination, I'm for it.
Second of all, in regards to awakening the imagination, I can hardly see why C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia" are very much different from the Harry Potter books in content or theme. Both of them are set in fantasy worlds with fantasy characters and elements of 'magic.' Lewis himself would undoubtedly have enjoyed these books! The introduction of witchcraft in these books is not to convert or expose a child to witchcraft but rather to serve as a back drop to an interesting story and positive moral elements- justice, fairness, hope....
Third of all, in every war, you must pick your battles; you must choose carefully the place and circumstances to fight, or you will find your resources scattered and diluted and unable to meet the enemy in strength. In the spiritual battle, Harry Potter is of little consequence compared to the programming that is available on television, movies, the radio, magazines, etc.. Our culture is so permeated by harsh, wordly reality- drugs, alcohol, sex sex sex, that the world of imagination free from these elements may be just what is able to allow a child later in life to imagine a world where there is a God that works despite what is seen all around them.
In other words, at this point, not only is fighting Harry Potter probably a waste of time in light of other things that need to be fought, but it is probably an out right dangerous move: like refusing to vaccinate against a deadly disease for fear that the vaccination itself will kill.
In conclusion, my students are more than able to distinguish Harry Potter from real life, and immensly enjoy the books anyway. They are the students that are attending the Bible studies outside of class, and are involved in ministering to others. My nonChristian students that I see reading them I am just surprised to see reading! It is good to turn some attention on Harry Potter to judge its value- such discernment should be applied to every aspect of a child's life and is the parent's duty. The good of Harry Potter, from a Christian teacher's perspective outweighs the potential (and still not observed at all) bad.
But the good of Harry Potter should not be underestimated. Fictional worlds like this one have been the staple of a great deal of children's literature and have been instrumental in forming the foundation of imagination. Many people have delighted in the Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis himself thought the children's book "Phantastes," by George MacDonald the baptism of his imagination. Filled with mystery, enchantment, magic, and fairies, Lewis was thoroughly affected- not with the aforementioned elements, but with the power of myth! Christianity, as he would come to discover, is myth made history.
By the way, the C.S. Lewis online newsletters are all raving about Harry Potter!